15 Best Things to Do in Deltona (Florida)

Written by Jan Meeuwesen
Updated on
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Located in east-central Florida between Orlando inland and Daytona Beach on the coast, Deltona is Volusia County’s most populous city. It is located near Lake Monroe, which is one of the largest lakes along the St. Johns River.

Strategically situated amidst some of the state’s most popular attractions, Deltona is the perfect place to hang your hat while experiencing all that Florida has to offer.

Finding a variety of ways to fill your itinerary won’t be a problem; in fact, you may have trouble fitting everything in.

Below are 15 of the best things to see and do in and around Deltona, Florida.

1. The Deltona Club

The Deltona ClubSource: thedeltonaclub.com
The Deltona Club

Florida is one of the country’s golfing meccas, and the east-central part of the state near Deltona is home to a variety of courses, from the ultra-expensive and exclusive to municipal courses that offer value-conscious travelers a great bang for their buck.

Located on Elkcam Boulevard in Deltona, the Deltona Club was created by a famous golf course designer and has been repeatedly voted in the top 25 public courses in the state – quite a distinction in a state with more than a thousand options.

The course offers lessons and seasonal promotions, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that tee times fill up quickly, so book online well in advance of your trip.

2. Blue Spring State Park

Blue Spring State Park, FloridaSource: Tricia Yager / shutterstock
Blue Spring State Park

Due to its convenient location and amazing natural scenery, Blue Spring State Park hosts throngs of year-round visitors.

Located along Florida’s St. Johns River, the park offers guests a variety of outdoor recreation options, including SCUBA diving, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography that are among the state’s best.

The park’s waters remain a refreshing 72 degrees regardless of the weather, and there are miles of well-marked and maintained hiking trails, as well as kayaks to rent.

To beat the crowds, consider arriving early. There’s an inexpensive per-vehicle entry fee, and the park is open from 8 AM until sunset.

3. Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company

Persimmon Hollow Brewing CompanySource: facebook.com
Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company

Florida is notorious for its blistering sun and high humidity that often combine to make it unpleasant to be outdoors unless you’re relaxing by a pool.

Another popular way to beat the heat is to chill out in the air-conditioning while enjoying a delicious craft beer.

Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company in historic DeLand have only been around for a few years, but they’ve already attracted quite a loyal following among local beer aficionados.

Noted for their traditional Belgian-style offerings, the brewery is in the trendy SoNY — or South of New York — a neighborhood that offers a variety of food, drink, art and live entertainment options.

4. Hontoon Island State Park

Hontoon Island State ParkSource: Peter Titmuss / shutterstock
Hontoon Island State Park

Florida is home to an amazing number of state and national parks; Hontoon Island State Park is one of the Deltona area’s most stunning.

The island is reachable by private boat, but for most visitors, the preferred method of getting there is the ferry that’s operated by the park service.

The departure area is a few miles west of town on State Route 44. In addition to its recreational activities, the park is home to a few unique archaeological sites that were once inhabited by Native Americans.

Much of the island is covered with nature trails, and fishing, camping, and canoeing are all popular activities.

5. Museum of Art – DeLand

Museum Of Art – DeLandSource: moartdeland.org
Museum Of Art – DeLand

Located on North Woodland Boulevard, the Museum of Art – DeLand is run by a not-for-profit organization that’s dedicated to providing the community with a unique venue offering a variety of educational, instructional, and cultural activities to enrich residents’ lives.

The museum consists of two separate galleries, with a focus on contemporary works in a variety of mediums.

Much of the art on display is vibrant and bold, and challenges viewers to think about what it represents and what message it’s attempting to convey.

The cost of admission is surprisingly inexpensive, and it’s open every day except Monday. Plan on spending about an hour.

6. Seminole State Forest

Blackwater Creek, Seminole State ForestSource: facebook.com
Blackwater Creek, Seminole State Forest

Comprised of more than 25,000 acres of preserved and protected land, Seminole State Forest is near the town of Eustis and managed by the Florida Department of Forestry.

For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, the state forest is the perfect place to spend a day hiking and exploring.

Part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, in addition to its abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, it’s also popular with fisherman and hunters.

Seminole State Forest is open year-round and includes dozens of miles of multi-use trails that are open to hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers.

Check out their website for specific hunting and fishing seasons and regulations.

7. Henry A. DeLand House Museum

DeLand House MuseumSource: Ebyabe / Wikimedia
DeLand House Museum

Located on Michigan Avenue in DeLand, the DeLand house was originally built in the 1880s. Though it was owned privately for much of its existence, it was donated to the city more than a century later.

One of the area’s most well-preserved examples of Victorian architecture, it’s now open to the public and managed by the West Volusia Historical Society.

The home and museum contain a unique collection of historic articles giving visitors a unique insight into the lives of central Florida residents dating back more than a century.

Visitors should plan on spending about an hour on site.

8. Hit the Beach

Cocoa Beach, FloridaSource: Tono Balaguer / shutterstock
Cocoa Beach

From stem to stern, Florida is full of a variety of natural, historical, and cultural attractions that can keep travelers busy for weeks. But for many of the state’s visitors, what they’re really after is some relaxing beach time soaking up the sun, sand, and surf.

Located just a short drive from both Orlando and Deltona, Cocoa Beach is one of the state’s most famous beaches; there’s no better place to work on your tan and experience the essence of The Sunshine State.

Cocoa Beach is a family-friendly destination; in addition to its namesake beaches, it offers plenty of dining and shopping options and is one of the state’s premier surfing destinations as well.

9. Universal Orlando

Universal OrlandoSource: Kamira / shutterstock
Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is another of the state’s most popular family destinations. For some visitors with children, it’s where they spend the majority of their Florida vacation time.

With tons of roller-coasters and other adrenaline-filled rides, it’ll get the heart pumping for adults and kids alike. There is also a variety of live entertainment events, movie-themed activities, and plenty of dining and shopping options as well.

Universal Orlando offers a few unique historical exhibits too, so the kids may even learn a thing or two.

The park can be a madhouse during peak times, so visit early or during the off-season if that’s a scene you’d like to avoid.

10. LEGOLAND Florida Resort

LEGOLAND Florida ResortSource: www.booking.com
LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Kids the world over have been playing with Lego for generations, and for travelers with children, there are few better destinations anywhere in the area.

Including dozens of rides and tons of interactive exhibits that encourage activity and creativity, LEGOLAND Florida Resort also hosts live entertainment events that are fun for everyone regardless of age.

The facility is part museum, part amusement park, and part all-inclusive resort. There are plenty of onsite lodging, dining, and shopping options. For most kids, their time spent at LEGOLAND Florida Resort will be the most memorable part of their entire trip.

Check out their website for hours, prices and a complete list of activities.

11. Harry P. Leu Gardens

Harry P. Leu GardensSource: Jillian Cain Photography / shutterstock
Harry P. Leu Gardens

Comprised of nearly 50 acres of fabulous gardens, the Harry P. Leu Gardens are a hidden gem of beauty and serenity tucked inside the thriving city of Orlando.

The garden grounds and home were donated to the city in the ’60s and open daily to visitors.

In addition to several distinct gardens featuring colorful and exotic native and non-native species, the facility hosts a variety of special events, like story time for children, Mother’s Day Festivities, and live music.

Their expansive grounds are the perfect place to spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch while listening to some smooth jazz.

12. Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Wizarding World of Harry Potter, OrlandoSource: NavinTar / shutterstock
Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, Orlando

If the terms ‘Hogwarts’ and ‘butterbeer’ make you weak at the knees, it’d probably be a good idea to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando.

Featuring more Harry Potter-related rides and activities than just about anywhere, it’s an iconic destination for lovers of the famous books and movies.

The good news is that you don’t have to be 21-years-old to enjoy a mug or two of butterbeer at Hogwarts; it’s an entirely kid-friendly and alcohol-free beverage.

The park is known to draw big crowds, so come with as much patience as you can muster.

13. Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space CenterSource: NaughtyNut / shutterstock
Kennedy Space Center

Since the late ’60s, the Kennedy Space Center has been ground zero for America’s space program.

The center is located on Merritt Island along the Atlantic coast to the northwest of Cape Canaveral.

The visitor’s area is conveniently divided into distinct zones, each of which represents a specific sector or era of history. They’re all accessible by guided tours, which are the way to go, especially if you’d like to get the inside scoop from a knowledgeable and enthusiastic local.

Most package group tours start in Orlando and include transportation, meals, and stops at local outlet shopping malls.

14. Universal’s Volcano Bay

Universal’s Volcano BaySource: FlickDirect Inc / shutterstock
Universal’s Volcano Bay

Another of Universal Orlando’s popular attractions is its action-packed waterpark known as Volcano Bay.

It’s the perfect way to beat the Florida sun at its own game, and though it’s full of exhilarating slides, rides, and wave pools, there are also plenty of areas for those looking to chill out.

A variety of entry passes are available — from one to multiple days — and some include admission to other Universal parks, making them particularly good value for families who’ll be in the area for more than a day.

Florida residents get a significant discount, and it’s possible to buy tickets online.

15. Dayton Beach Symphony Society

Dayton Beach Symphony SocietySource: dbss.org
Dayton Beach Symphony Society

With a history stretching back to the early ’50s, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society was created by a small group of musicians and music lovers who saw that the growing city was lacking in the traditional music department.

A few years later, an all-volunteer symphony guild was formed, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In addition to world-class symphony, the society provides a variety of inexpensive cultural activities that enrich the community and are open to the public.

They’re located in Daytona Beach’s Peabody Auditorium, so check their website for directions and their calendar of upcoming events.



15 Best Things to Do in Deltona (Florida):

  • The Deltona Club
  • Blue Spring State Park
  • Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company
  • Hontoon Island State Park
  • Museum of Art – DeLand
  • Seminole State Forest
  • Henry A. DeLand House Museum
  • Hit the Beach
  • Universal Orlando
  • LEGOLAND Florida Resort
  • Harry P. Leu Gardens
  • Wizarding World of Harry Potter
  • Kennedy Space Center
  • Universal’s Volcano Bay
  • Dayton Beach Symphony Society